Farmers in the Eastern Province say they have suffered considerable losses over the past season because they have not been able to employ Saudis to harvest their crops. They pointed out that many farmers have not been able to employ the 10 percent Saudi workers required under the Nitaqat Program. The program, the government's new Saudization drive, came into force for the agricultural sector at the end of November. The farmers said Saudis are unwilling to work on farms. Abdul Hakeem Al-Mahfooz, an investor, said farmers seeking to employ three or less workers face no problems, as their applications are approved within seven to 10 days in Dammam. However, processing applications in the Jubail Labor Office can take up to two months. Al-Mahfooz said that applications for four or more workers are delayed due to Saudization. He stressed that a number of farmers are waiting for the Ministry of Labor to help them solve this problem. Al-Mahfooz added that their situation has been aggravated by the low prices for produce this year. This means their income has not been able to cover the hiring of seasonal workers. For example, the price of cabbage is about SR4 to SR5 per eight-kilogram carton and cleaned cauliflower is sold at present for SR5 per eight-kilogram carton. Al-Mahfooz said that the Labor Offices sympathize with the farmers and have sent letters to the Ministry of Labor requesting solutions for the Saudization crisis in the agricultural sector. The Labor Offices are waiting for a response from the ministry. Ali Al-Marzouq, another investor, said that it has become quite common for crops to lie in the fields unharvested and untended, particularly cauliflower, which needs continuous care and supervision by workers. He called on the Ministry of Labor to find a practical solution for the Saudization problem. He added that farmers were ready to cooperate with the ministry on condition that Saudi workers, who are willing to work, are found. He said it was difficult to find Saudi workers willing to work for the SR600 to SR800 a month paid to expatriate workers. Saudis want at least SR2,000 a month because the work starts early in the morning and is far away from urban areas. __
